Arthritis Neck Pain can literally be a “pain in the neck”. There are more than one hundred different types of arthritis, and all of them can affect you anywhere in the body. Arthritis is an inflammation of a joint or joints within the body, so anywhere in the body that you find a joint, you find a spot that is susceptible to arthritis.
The spine, made up of 33 bones called vertebrae, are stacked on top of another to form a column. The neck, comprised of the top seven vertebrae (called cervical vertebrae), is a complex structure supporting the head. Great discomfort may result from arthritis in the neck but can also be caused from muscles, nerves and ligaments problems, as well as the bones and joints of the spine. If you are experiencing discomfort and pain in your neck, please consult a doctor to determine if arthritis or another issue is the cause.
While there are many types of arthritis that commonly cause arthritis neck pain (such as osteoarthritis), the medical term for arthritis of the neck is cervical spondylosis, which is often referred to as cervical osteoarthritis. Cervical spondylosis is caused by degenerative changes in the bones and intervertebral disks of the neck. A less technical name for this condition is degenerative disk disease of the neck.
Cervical spondylosis is primarily due to aging. The condition usually first starts after the age of 40 and continues to progress as you age. It is unknown why but men tend to develop cervical spondylosis at an earlier age than women. The condition often leads to myelopathy. Cervical spondylosis is the most common condition of the neck that can affect the spinal cord.
In most cases treatment of cervical spondylosis should reduce pain and irritation to spinal cord and nerves, while also improving activities of daily living. A list of possible arthritis pain treatment may include:
- use of a neck brace to immobilize the neck
- medication
- physical therapy
- possible traction and epidurals, depending on the findings from diagnostic imaging tests.
- surgery
It is time to seek medical help for cervical spondylosis when:
- your over-the-counter medicine is no longer sufficient
- your pain continues to worsen
- your arms and/or legs develop numbness
- you experience weakness
- you experience bowel or bladder incontinence
If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.
